Union of Bulgarian Artists

In April 2014 the practice won its first international competition for the renovation of the Union of Bulgarian Artists in central Sofia. The UBA is housed in a 1970s pre-cast concrete building which acts as gallery space and administrative offices supported by additional commercial space – café / bar, retail & offices.

The proposal retained the existing frame and circulation routes but rationalised the internal layouts leading to a significant increase in usable floor space. At roof level additional gallery / commercial space was created around a sequence of external courtyards, benefitting from views over Sofia and the mountains to the south.

For the façade the proposal replaced the existing pre-cast panels with glass either partially or entirely covered by a white enamel screen print. The intention was to give a unity to the scheme, creating a luminous treasure box reflecting the cultural value of the contents.